Welcome back to another exciting school year! BookBreak’s virtual author talk program is back this fall with an exciting lineup of authors who will empower and engage your students.
And that is not all! We are also launching our Culture of Reading platform. It has everything you’ll need to make the shift needed to become a true community of readers.
A Taste of BookBreak’s Fall Lineup for Elementary
Keven Malliard, Fry Bread (K-2nd)
As your students explore how families share traditions and recipes to build a sense of belonging, Kevin Maillard offers a powerful and accessible look at modern Indigenous life. This talk is a must-watch for classrooms investigating how our unique stories and shared histories come together to form a community. It provides teachers with a beautiful tool to help students recognize similarities and differences, proving that even a simple piece of bread can tell a story of history, survival, and love.
Max Brallier, The Last Kids on Earth (3rd-5th)
What does it take to survive a monster apocalypse? Author Max Brallier knows! He has taken the end of the world and turned it into a high-octane quest that hooks even the most reluctant readers by blending humor with cinematic action. Tune in to find out how!
Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising (4th & up)
How do you turn a real family’s struggle into a timeless story? Join Pam Muñoz Ryan as she digs into the research process behind Esperanza Rising, revealing how she transformed her own grandmother’s immigration journey into a celebrated work of historical fiction. This talk offers students a rare look at how primary sources and personal heritage can bloom into powerful narratives about resilience and change.
A Taste of BookBreak’s Fall Lineup for Middle School
Jewel Parker Rhodes, Towers Falling (6th-8th)
Exploring the historical impact of national tragedies, community resilience, or recent American history in your classroom? Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes explains how she tackled one of the most defining moments in modern American history for a new generation in her critically acclaimed novel, Towers Falling. This author-talk offers an accessible, age-appropriate gateway to help a new generation understand how the legacy of 9/11 continues to shape their world today.
Katherine Arden, Small Spaces (6th-8th)
Step into the mist and prepare your students for a spine-tingling journey into the world of middle grade horror. Perfect for fans of suspense and spooky atmospheres, this session features New York Times bestselling author Katherine Arden as she discusses her hit novel, Small Spaces. Take a deep dive into the elements of a great ghost story from building eerie settings to creating tension that keeps readers turning the page. Whether your students are aspiring writers or just love a good scare, this talk is a must-watch for classes looking to master the art of the macabre and creative writing.
Jorge Cham, Oliver’s Great Big Universe (3rd-7th)
What does it take to understand the entire cosmos when you’re just trying to survive middle school? Join us for an exploration of the galaxy with author and scientist Jorge Cham as he discusses his hit book, Oliver’s Great Big Universe. With its seamless blend of STEM concepts and narrative play, this talk offers teachers a powerful tool to build background knowledge and ignite scientific inquiry, proving that the secrets of the universe are accessible to everyone. From black holes to the Big Bang, tune in to find out how humor and comics can make the most complex science feel deceptively simple!
A Taste of BookBreak’s Fall Lineup for High School
E. Lockhart, We Were Liars (9th-12th)
What does it take to construct a mind-bending plot twist that keeps readers guessing until the very last page? Author E. Lockhart knows! She has taken a suspenseful family drama and turned it into a masterclass on perspective that hooks young adult readers by weaponizing the power of an unreliable narrator. Tune in to find out how you can use this talk to level up your students’ reading comprehension, dive into page-to-screen adaptations, and sharpen their literary analysis skills!
Tiffany D. Jackson, White Smoke (9th-12th)
Think horror is just about jump-scares and cheap thrills? Think again. Tiffany D. Jackson turns the classic haunted house archetype entirely on its head to create an enthralling psychological thriller that feels all too real. This session breaks down the exact blueprint for blending spine-chilling suspense with urgent social commentary. This author-talk is perfect for English classes looking to analyze literary archetypes and Social Studies classes diving into urban sociology.
Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (6th-12th)
How do you save the world when you can’t even remember your own name? Join us for an out-of-this-world discussion with #1 New York Times bestselling author Andy Weir as he breaks down the science, humor, and heart behind his hit novel, Project Hail Mary. From orbital mechanics to the power of interstellar teamwork, this talk is a must-watch for Science and English classes looking to explore how logic and imagination can solve the universe’s greatest mysteries. Tune in to find out what it takes to survive a solo mission to the stars!
Foster a Culture of Reading in Your School
Starting in fall of 2026, BookBreak is launching a comprehensive platform that will offer the essential tools needed to build and sustain a thriving Culture of Reading.
A Culture of Reading goes beyond a literacy spirit week or one-off literacy night to make the necessary shift where reading for pleasure moves from a special occasion to something students look forward to each and every day.
Make sure you check out our Culture of Reading page to learn more about what a Culture of Reading is, why it is important for your school community, and how to get started on the journey to transform your school’s literacy landscape.
Virtual Author Talks Inspire Students
Meeting authors and illustrators creates connections to literature and helps students see themselves as readers and writers. These connections can start in your classroom or library. You can give students the chance to hear from creators, connect to the people behind the stories, and begin to build the Culture of Reading that will change the literacy landscape of your school.
Explore our elementary school, middle school, and high school lineups HERE to see all the incredible authors we have for the 2026-2027 school year.
Stay Tuned…
